Jackson's Drug Court Praised

In an editorial, the Jackson Sun praises Jackson City Court Judge Blake Anderson and staff members of the city's Drug Treatment Court. The court, established 10 years ago, has seen 95 individuals complete the program, nine of whom graduated last week. The paper says that nationwide, 75 percent of graduates remain drug free after two years. This reduces crime, and for every $1 invested in the program, taxpayers save as much as $3.36 in avoided criminal justice costs. Jackson's intensive year-long program, the paper writes, "goes far beyond the routines of the criminal justice system by offering an alternative to jail time for those who commit non-violent criminal offenses and drug-related crimes."